7 issues I discovered inspecting Korda’s golf equipment

Nelly Korda’s equipment setup is filled with gear gems that come into sight solely if you check out the whole setup. It’s a glorified tools Easter egg hunt, which is one thing I completely get pleasure from when inspecting the golf equipment utilized by among the best golfers on the planet.

Listed here are 7 issues that stood out after taking a better have a look at the photographs I captured of Korda’s setup.

1. Numero uno

Earlier than switching to Titleist’s TSR1 driver, Korda was one of many solely professionals on Tour wielding the lightweight TSi1. Whereas the motive force was noticeably absent from final month’s TSR launch, the inclusion of TSR1 in Korda’s bag all however confirms it’s coming at a later date.

Korda, who received a serious with TSi1, admitted previous success and reliability made it difficult to let go of her outdated gamer — till she noticed ball pace enhance from 152 mph to 154 mph.

“It was an ideal driver,” Korda mentioned of TSi. “I had success with it and knew what it may do, however the numbers I noticed with TSR1 made it clear I ought to give it a strive.”

A mix of extra ball pace and reducing the acknowledged loft from 9 to 10 levels helped Korda drop roughly 400 RPMs and decrease launch from 12 to 11.5 levels, leading to an extra 10 yards of carry distance (290 yards).

“It’s loads much less spin, which is what I’m searching for,” Korda mentioned. “My [TSi1] was flying properly, but it surely was spinning a bit a lot. Since we’ve been capable of drop the spin, I’m nonetheless seeing an analogous carry and extra rollout. The general look of the 2 drivers is fairly comparable, besides the place the shaft is inserted on the TSR1,” Korda mentioned. “It seems a bit extra pronounced. It’s good to have a look at, and it doesn’t damage when you may make the swap with out having to make a bunch of changes.”

Ball pace is one method to acquire extra distance, however as you’ll be able to see from Korda’s changes, there’s a couple of method to squeeze yards out of the massive stick with out negatively affecting carry.

2. Something however inventory

As I discussed in final week’s deep dive on Lydia Ko’s gear, Korda doesn’t use the identical SureFit loft sleeve setting on her three Titleist woods, which permits her to regulate loft and lie angle. On the motive force, Korda is inventory throughout the board at A1 — 9 levels with a normal lie angle. The lie angle stays normal on the 3-wood, at D4, however loft will increase by .75 to 17.25 levels for a barely greater launch. As for the 5-wood, the C4 setting provides .75 levels with a flatter lie angle (.75 levels).

So what can we be taught from the completely different loft sleeve settings? It highlights the significance of utilizing a chunk of expertise that few weekend golfers use. Understanding how the completely different settings may also help (or damage) your recreation will make you a wiser participant in the long term should you can find the perfect setup to match your recreation.

3. Fairway finder

Having a dependable driver can take quite a lot of stress off the remainder of your recreation. However if you wish to have a well-rounded gear setup, it’s vital to own a secondary possibility that may discover the green with regularity. For many golfers, it is likely to be a 3- or 5-wood. In Korda’s case, it’s a 16.5-degree Titleist TSi2 fairway wooden.

“The primary week I put the TSR1 driver in play, I believe I hit it 4 instances throughout the event,” Korda mentioned. “I rely loads on my 3-wood as a result of it’s lengthy and correct.”

You possibly can inform by the damage spot within the middle of the face that Korda hardly ever misses with the membership. It’s the form of secondary possibility each golfer desires of getting of their bag.

4. Lengthy John

The flashiest headcover in Korda’s bag truly sports activities the title of one other golf icon — John Daly. Korda’s father, Petr, mentioned finally 12 months’s PNC Championship that he began to get inquisitive about golf when Daly received his second main championship.

“I begin form of paying consideration (to golf) when Mr. [John] Daly was — when he received the [1995] British Open when Constantino Rocca missed the chip after which he made the exceptional putt,” Korda mentioned.

Petr and Nelly wound up being paired with John and his son, John II, final 12 months on the PNC. Petr’s admiration for Daly’s recreation has since carried over to Nelly, who sports activities a smaller model of the well-known multi-colored lion headcover that may be discovered on Daly’s driver.

5. Worthy alternative

The 26-degree Ping G425 hybrid in Korda’s bag is a reminder that conventional lengthy irons are not wanted. With game-improvement choices, utility irons and high-lofted hybrids filling the hole, weekend golfers are higher off following Korda’s lead and including one of many above golf equipment to exchange their 4-iron.

The mixture of forgiveness and a better launch makes it a no brainer. Even higher? The adjustable hosel makes it a cinch to show down the launch on a windy day.

6. Completely different weights

Much like Ko, Korda performs the identical shaft in two completely different weights. In her Titleist T100 irons, it’s Aerotech’s SteelFiber i80 at 85 grams. Within the wedges, it’s a heavier Aerotech SteelFiber i95 at 95 grams. The aim for a lot of professionals is to keep up a constant really feel all through the irons and wedges however enhance the texture within the scoring instruments.

It’s partly why many gamers enhance the burden and drop down ever-so-slightly in flex to make the shaft extra lively for delicate pitch and chip pictures. It’s a small adjustment that’s was one of many extra standard gear traits within the skilled ranks.

7. Much less loft

You possibly can be taught two issues from taking a look at this image. First off, Korda has constant loft gaps (4 levels) all through right here wedges, together with the 46-degree pitching wedge. Retaining the gaps constant from one wedge to the following is a surefire method to scale back the potential for a carry yardage gap that may require you to take one thing off or step on it to hit your quantity.

I additionally love the very fact Korda makes use of a 58-degree lob wedge as a substitute of the usual 60-degree. It’s sufficient loft to nonetheless execute a flop shot however can nonetheless be turned all the way down to execute a better pitch shot, if wanted. And with Korda’s distinctive fingers, the low bounce on the T grind permits her to maintain the main tight towards the turf to nip the ball. It’s a profitable mixture for Korda’s short-game wants.

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